Status Updates From The Art of War: Deluxe Slip...

Chapter 13: Using Spies
Knowledge of the enemy’s condition must come from men. Preparations for years with the aim of contending and yet know nothing of the enemy’s conditions are a waste of time. Most especially double agents who must be rewarded richly. They also perform the role of spreading disinformation and sowing dissent.

Chapter 12: Attack with Fire

1. A state that perishes cannot be restored, and the dead cannot come back to life. We cannot make fires at random.

2. One of the most concrete chapters in the text. Also some commentary on water.

Chapter 11: Nine Terrains
1. Like most other chapters it is partly about the subject of the heading, and partly a disparate collection of remarks on disparate topics.
2. Unlike the emphasis on geography of terrain, emphasis now is on how terrains can influence dispositions of two opposing armies.
3. The ideal behaviour of a general is quiet and remote, revealing little and leaving his men in ignorance like sheep.

Chapter 10: Forms of Terrain

1. Six forms of terrain: general’s greatest responsibility to investigate.
2. Wrongdoings by a general lead to running away, coming apart, caving in, collapse, chaos or rout - defeat.
3. Repetitions of being good to soldiers, not following a ruler’s instructions unquestioningly, and being well informed of the enemy’s condition.